Willamette Valley Medical Center (WVMC) is proud to announce the launch of inpatient renal care and dialysis services, a critical advancement in care for patients with kidney disease in our community. Opening on August 1, 2025, WVMC began offering inpatient hemodialysis through a new partnership with DaVita, in collaboration with TeleNeph nephrologists.

This new service line provides thorough, coordinated care for patients with both acute and chronic renal conditions should they become hospitalized. Care planning is a collaborative effort between TeleNeph nephrologists, WVMC physicians and nurses, and the DaVita care team.

Dialysis treatments are delivered in a newly designated space within the Medical-Surgical unit, equipped with three state-of-the-art Fresenius hemodialysis machines. Services will also be available in the Intensive Care Unit as needed. DaVita staff will be onsite to administer treatments and manage all necessary equipment and supplies, ensuring seamless integration with WVMC’s clinical teams. Together with TeleNeph physicians, they will uphold the highest standards of safety and quality for this vulnerable patient population.

This initiative marks the return of a vital specialty service to WVMC. Previously, nephrology care supported over 100 admitted patients annually. However, due to a shortage of local coverage, the service was discontinued in 2024. Since then, WVMC has worked diligently to restore this essential care offering.

“Renal disease is a significant health challenge in our region,” said Tracy Autler, CNO. “We are proud to once again provide this life-sustaining service to our patients and community.”

Plans are already underway to expand the program to include peritoneal dialysis in the near future.